The police have charged the victims under the cow slaughter prohibition act.

In yet another incident of cow-related mob violence, a group of cow “vigilantes” thrashed two Muslim men on suspicion of transporting beef in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, July 14.

Per a report in The Indian Express, right-wing goons and bystanders stopped a vehicle near Kesarbaug bridge in the morning and beat up two men while a third person in the vehicle managed to escape.

The victims — Nadim and Imran — both in their 20s, were later arrested by the police and charged under the anti-cow slaughter law. Inspector Sunil Sharma of the Rajendranagar Police Station told IE that a veterinarian had confirmed that they were carrying beef. He claimed that the victims were unhurt.

The Congress government in the state has proposed an amendment to the anti-cow slaughter act, to penalise those who engage in violence against anyone booked under the act. A fine of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 and jail term of six months has been proposed against such persons.

Instances of mob violence, particularly those against Muslims, continue unabated. While some of these hate crimes are cow-related, in the last few months, right-wing groups have attacked Muslims and forced them to repeat the Hindu chant of “Jai Shri Ram”.